Conservation Student Assistant - Libraries

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas is seeking student hourly staff for Conservation Services at KU Libraries. You will work on binding, mending, cleaning, and caring for library materials, with additional duties including creating custom enclosures and participating in group projects.

Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs and follow detailed instructions. This role is an on-site student hourly position with no remote work.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated prior work experience with performing detailed and repetitive work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Professional experience requiring hand skills.

Responsibilities

• 65% - Independent work on library material including tasks such as pamphlet binding, mending paper tears, book repair, and cleaning.
• 20% - Creating custom box housing for books.
• 10% - Collaborative group projects such as collections surveys or rehousing projects.
• 5% - Other duties in the library.

Skills

Attention to detail

Hand skills

Job description

Position Overview

Do you pride yourself on your dexterity, aesthetic sensibilities, and craft skills? Do you enjoy working closely with a team of your fellow students? Are you interested in interacting with KU Libraries' books and materials from the everyday to the rare and unusual?

Conservation Services at KU Libraries is responsible for the care and preservation of the Libraries' collections. Our students are involved in activities such as pamphlet binding, mending paper tears, repairing books, creating custom enclosures, and cleaning and caring for library materials. We employ student workers who are good at following complex directions, able to adapt to changing workflows, have a steady hand, and also appreciate repetitive tasks. These tasks may involve some heavy lifting and getting a bit dirty.

Job Description

• 65% - Independent work on library material including tasks such as pamphlet binding, mending paper tears, book repair, and cleaning.
• 20% - Creating custom box housing for books.
• 10% - Collaborative group projects such as collections surveys or rehousing projects.
• 5% - Other duties in the library.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated prior work experience with performing detailed and repetitive work with a high degree of accuracy, as evidenced by application materials.
• Professional experience requiring hand skills, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Eligibility for Federal Work Study.
2. Previous library or archive experience, as evidenced by application materials.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre‑enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. with or without accommodation.

Employment Conditions

Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

This is an hourly/non‑exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

Additional Candidate Instructions

• Cover letter addressing how the required and preferred qualifications are met.
• Resume

If you are called for an interview, bring an example of hand skills such as an arts and crafts project or an art portfolio.

Contact Information to Applicants

Kaitlin McGrath
785-864-6412
[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$11.00 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday September 21, 2026